By: Joseph Momoh
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA), held a significant two-day workshop for the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) on September 30 and October 1, 2024.
This workshop represents a crucial step in efforts to enhance trade facilitation, focusing on reducing business costs and risks while boosting competitiveness in the market.
During the event, Minister of Trade and Industry Alpha Ibrahim Sesay emphasized the commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment and the importance of collaboration with organizations like the World Bank, ECOWAS, and TFWA. He also highlighted two ongoing projects—the Integrated Risk Management Framework and the Time Release Study—expected to be completed by December 2024.
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of NTFC members to ensure compliance with two key international agreements: the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These agreements present significant opportunities to access larger markets, simplify trade processes, and enhance competitiveness both regionally and globally.
Participants were encouraged to engage in discussions about key priorities, such as simplifying and modernizing trade processes. This initiative aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Agenda, particularly focusing on Human Capital Development. The goal is to empower trade stakeholders and customs officials with the necessary skills to promote economic growth, support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and create job opportunities.
In closing, there was appreciation for the continued support from ECOWAS and TFWA, with a call for all participants to maximize the benefits of the workshop to ensure a more efficient, transparent, and competitive trade system, positioning the nation for future success.
